Kartika Das (16th–17th century CE) was a notable medieval Odia poet who contributed significantly to the development of early metrical narrative poetry (Kavya) and Vaishnava devotional literature in Odisha. Writing in the transition era following the Panchasakha period, he played a key role in shaping vernacular prosody before the full flowering of the ornate Riti Yuga. He is best known in Odia literary history for authoring Rukmini Bibaha (also known as Rukmini Parinaya), a celebrated narrative Kavya recounting the mythological abduction and marriage of Princess Rukmini by Lord Krishna. Composed in distinct musical meters (Chhanda), the work achieved widespread popularity across Odisha for its lyrical elegance, accessible narrative flow, and deep devotional sentiment. Through his refined musical sensibility and storytelling prowess, Kartika Das successfully blended Puranic lore with regional aesthetic appeal. His work remains a valued milestone in the evolution of classical Odia metrical verse.
writes Kavya, Chhanda Poetry, Bhakti Poetry
in Odia, Sanskrit
works by Kartika Das
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